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 SIMBU - MT. WILHELM TREK
Duration: 5 DAYS/4
NIGHTS
Grade: MODERATE to HARD
Starts/Ends: MOUNT HAGEN
At 14,800
feet (4508 metres) Mt Wilhelm offers awesome glacial and alpine
landscapes and your efforts are rewarded with stunning views from
the roof of the world's most mountainous island. The first recorded
ascent of Mt Wilhelm was by Leigh Grant Vial, a government officer
on August 15th, 1938. Leigh again climbed it in 1939. For the less
active explore alpine grasslands and glacial lakes.
General Information about Mt.Wilhelm and
the Traverse
Mt.
Wilhelm is named after Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany and was first climbed
in the mid-1930's. Mt. Wilhelm in the Simbu language is called Enduwa
Kombugu, and in the Upper Jimi Language (the language spoken in
Ambullua) it is called Korel Khu. It covers an area of about 100
sq. km/40 sq. miles. To the North is a steep drop off to the Ramu
Valley (from over 4,000m/13,200ft to less than 600m/2,000ft in only
13km/8miles). Its steep glacial valleys were carved out during the
last ice-age (the Pleistocene period - approximately 10,000 years
ago), the interface between the grasslands and the forest marks
the snowline from this period.
The mountain is climbed by both Papua New Guineans and International
visitor alike via the normal Keglsugl route
THE ITINERARY:
Day 01
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Transfer from Mount Hagen by road to Keglsugl. Overnight -
KEGLSUGL GUEST HOUSE.
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Day 02
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Trek to Base Camp at Lake Piunde, overnight.
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Day 03
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Very early start for the summit, returning to Base Camp for
overnight.
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Day 04
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Trek back down to Keglsugl and transfer by road back to Mount
Hagen. Overnight - KIMININGA LODGE.
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Day 05
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Transfer to Mount Hagen airport.
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LAND COST
Please contact
: info@adventureindonesia.com
COST
INCLUDES:
Accommodation as specified above, airport transfers, touring,
meals, government taxes and local guides.
COST
EXCLUDES:
Domestic airfares and items of a personal nature.
MT. WILHELM TRAVERSE
Duration:10 DAYS/09
NIGHTS
Grade: HARD
Starts/Ends: PORT
MORESBY
Mt.Wilhelm is the highest peak in Papua New Guinea, at
4,509m/14,880ft. The Traverse from Ambullua to Keglsugl offers a unique and
challenging way to experience PNG's highest mountain. This challenging
alternative to the summit starts at about 2,000m/6,500ft in the remote village
of Ambullua, where the only access is by aircraft or by foot. The journey over
Mt.Wilhelm presents the opportunity to experience a culture still largely in
tact, with a sing-sing (traditional dance) and a night in a basic village guest
house learning about and experiencing the culture first hand. Then starting the
trek, the path crosses rivers, climbs through moss forests (home of several
birds of paradise), alpine grasslands and glacial valleys. To add to this there
are amazing views of the North Coast and surrounding valleys. Once the summit
is reached, the exit is by the usual summit route, down to Keglsugl via Lake
Piundi.
The Mt.Wilhelm traverse is largely an exploratory experience,
with only one small previous group traveling over the track. The path itself
was built by the people of Ambullua as an alternative and more challenging
route up the popular mountain
After the main trip, a charter aircraft
will fly the group from Keglsugl in the Highlands to Madang on the North Coast,
where a range of adventurous or slothful activities are available.
Day 01
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Arrive Port Moresby. Transfer to the Air Niugini domestic
flight. Fly to Mt.Hagen airport. Transfer to Highlander Hotel. Prepare gear,
overnight Highlander Hotel.
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DAY 02
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Transfer to Kagamuga aiport. Light aircraft flight of about 25
minutes to Ambullua. From the airstrip it is approximately an hours walk to the
"Korel Khu Guesthouse." Relax in the afternoon enjoy a traditional sing-sing
and experience the culture. After dinner, sit around the fire and talk to the
elders of the village about "time before."
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DAY 03
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Awake early to start the trek. The first hour is through kau
kau (sweet potato) gardens, until crossing the Kon River. From the Kon River it
is approximately six hours walk through alpine rainforest, covered in dense
layers of moss. The path follows a spur, in some places offering spectacular
views of the valleys below, until the first campsite is reached - "Ongoltungi."
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DAY 04
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From Ongoltungi the path continues up the spur and through the
forest for a further four hours. Then a creek is crossed and a small gully is
followed. The gully marks the start of the alpine grasslands. Camp is set up
after about one and a half hours walk in the grasslands at a saddle called
Khupokhe, approximately 3,600m/11,900ft. From here superb views are available
to the surrounding valleys and other large mountain ranges in the highlands of
PNG
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DAY 05
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Continuing on from Khupokhe, most of the day is spent trekking
up and along one of the mountain's main ridges affording spectacular views of
the surrounding mountains, with jagged peaks towering above the lake-filled
valleys. It is at the top of this ridge, that the first glimpse of the summit
is offered. The path skirts one of the largest peaks called Werakay. This
unclimbed giant towers above the track which then descends into a valley
leading us to our last campsite before the summit. The campsite is marked by a
large overhanging rock and has the local name of "Seeku."
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DAY 06
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Breaking camp and leaving before first light, an easy 20
minute to the end of the valley. From here we encounter a hard climb for the
next two hours up the side of the main summit ridge. From this point it is only
half an hour to the summit. Reaching the summit at about 7am is the prime time
as the mountain-tops are usually clear at this time in the morning. The summit
is marked by a rock cairn and a trigonometric marker. Time is allowed for
photos and conditions permitting breathtaking clear views of the North Coast
including Bagabag and Kar Kar Islands. Leaving the summit, the traverse
continues down the normal route, past the wreck of a WWII bomber and the twin
glacial lakes of Aunde and Piundi at an elevation of 3,500m/11,500ft. Our last
night on the mountain is spent in a hut on the edge of Lake Piundi. Often a
pair of endangered Salvadori Teals can be seen flying near and swimming on the
lake
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DAY 07
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From Piundi, it is an easy three hour walk to the village of
Keglsugl at a height of about 2,500m/8,200ft, where our charter aircraft will
be waiting to take us on the short but stunning flight from Keglsugl to Madang.
Upon arrival in Madang, we will be met by our vehicle for the transfer to
Malolo Plantation Lodge, approximately 45km along the coast from Madang,
offering clear views of Bagabag Island in the distance and Kar Kar Island
looming in the foreground. Malolo offers a relaxed atmosphere in which to wind
down from the trek.
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DAY 08
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Relax at Malolo with a range of activities including day
trekking, sea kayaking, village touring, snorkeling, town touring or relaxing
on the beach or around the pool.
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DAY 09
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Again another day to further explore the North Coast, or just
to relax and let those tired legs have a bit of a rest before returning to
hectic city life.
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DAY 10
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Leave Malolo Plantation Lodge for Madang airport, where a
flight takes us to Port Moresby with connections to Cairns, Brisbane and
Sydney. During the lay-over in Port Moresby a tour is offered exploring Port
Moresby.
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LAND COST
Please contact
: info@adventureindonesia.com
Price includes:
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All domestic charter and schedule flights
-
Government Taxes (except visa charge and civil aviation terminal facilities
charge)
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All meals
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All airport transfers
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All accomodation outside of Port Moresby
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Cultural fees, activities and tours
- Snorkelling gear hire
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Guides and porters
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Transport of stored baggage from Mt.Hagen to Madang
Price does not include:
- Travel insurance
-
Items of a personal nature (i.e. art, drinks etc.)
- Trekking gear hire (own tent must be provided)
-
International air to and from Port Moresby
- Scuba Diving
- Excess baggage on scheduled flights
- Charges incurred as a result of delays beyond the control of
Trans Niugini Tours
Other important notes:
- While the traverse is non-technical, it is a very difficult
walk. In several places a steep scramble is required. The walk requires a high
level of fitness to complete.
- Travel insurance including medical evacuation is considered
madatory
- Visas are available from the nearest PNG consul (or Australian
consul if a PNG one is not available) or a visa is obtainable upon arrival (for
many nationalities)
- Domestic air (Port Moresby/Mt.Hagen) connects with arrival of
PX004/QF349 (Brisbane/Port Moresby) AND PX091/QF379 (Cairns/Port Moresby) AND
PX093/QF381 (Cairns/Port Moresby) on 9 July
- Domestic air (Madang/Port Moresby) connects with the departure
of PX005/QF352 (Port Moresby/ Brisbane/Sydney) AND PX098/QF382 (Port
Moresby/Cairns) on 18 July
Gear List:
- Water proof tent with floor (and ground sheet preferable)
- Wet weather gear, including waterproof jacket and
overpants
-
Sleeping bag, rated to -5C/25F
- Sleeping mat, airmatress (e.g. thermarest) is better than just
foam
- Good Hiking Pack (about 65L) - to carry sleeping bag, tent etc.
- Travel or duffle bag (to store clothes not needed on the
mountain)
- Small daypack (to carry water, camera etc.)
- Liner bags (to keep gear dry)
- Hiking boots
- Thick Outer Socks
- Sock liners
- Sunhat
- Sunglasses
- Water Containers
- Warm Mittens &/or gloves
- Ski hat
- Pile Jacket (mid-weight)
- Pile Pants (mid-weight)
- Hiking shorts and shirts
- Thermal Underwear
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Personal toilettries (i.e. toothbrush, soap, sunscreen, lip balm, toilet paper
etc. also include a personal first-aid kit)
- Neat casual clothes (for travel days, and days spent in Madang
and Mt.Hagen)
- Gaiters (optional)
> GENERAL
CULTURAL & ECOLOGICAL INFORMATION OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA
>
MT. WILHELM TREKS
> TREKKING
TRIPS
> MALOLO
DIVING
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